28 April 2026
THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN IS NOT FOR SALE!
The ANC Study Group on Basic Education expresses its grave concern and unequivocal condemnation regarding the serious allegations surrounding the R1.6 billion textbook tender awarded to Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd. These allegations, if proven, point to a deeply troubling failure of governance, procurement integrity, and public accountability within a sector that is central to the future of our nation.
Textbooks are not a luxury they are the foundation of learning. Our learners and teachers cannot be made victims of procurement processes that appear to lack transparency, due diligence, fairness, and proper oversight. Any compromise in the delivery of learning and teaching support materials directly undermines the constitutional right to basic education and threatens the educational outcomes of more than 13.7 million learners across South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear that fighting corruption remains one of the government’s priorities in 2026, and he stated that “Let this message be clear: there will be no impunity for acts of corruption and criminality.” This is not a slogan; it is a national directive. The education sector cannot be exempt from this commitment.
It is within this national commitment to ethical governance and clean administration that the ANC Study Group calls on the Minister of Basic Education to act decisively and without delay. We therefore call for the following six immediate interventions:
- A full, independent and time-bound forensic investigation
- Immediate suspension of implicated contracts and officials
- Full transparency and reporting to Parliament.
- Accountability and consequence management.
- Immediate measures to protect learners’ access to textbooks.
- Strengthening procurement safeguards.
The ANC is resolute that any proven irregularities in the R1.6 billion textbook tender would constitute a direct violation of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999, particularly sections 38, 45, and 51, which require accounting officers to prevent irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, maintain proper records, and ensure effective internal controls. Such conduct may further contravene the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, National Treasury Regulations, and the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000. These are not mere technical breaches they strike at the heart of constitutional governance and undermine the rights of millions of learners.
Every rand lost to corruption is a textbook not delivered, a classroom left behind, and a child denied opportunity. We will not allow the future of our children to be compromised by procurement failures, weak oversight, or impunity. The ANC demands full accountability, immediate corrective action, and systemic reform to ensure that every rand allocated to education reaches the classroom where it belongs.
In the quest to restore integrity to education procurement and safeguard learners’ rights to quality education and quality resources, the ANC stands ready to engage with the Minister of Education, but it must be known that the future of our children is not for sale, and patience for corruption is exhausted!
Issued by Cde Tshepo Louw, Whip of the Study Group on Basic Education
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